Best budget car wash kit: Griot’s Garage Wash and Detail Sampler Kit The best car wash kits are equally effective at wiping away layers of pollen as they are at freeing tires from caked-on dirt.

Have some extra time? Take your car to an auto or self-service wash, or clean it in your driveway the old-fashioned way.

Car washes often offer extras. We talked to paint experts, car wash owners, professional detailers, and soap manufacturers to find out which ones you need—and where to save your money.